EMDR CAN HELP.

How is EMDR different?

EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy alone in that it gives us access to the logical side of your brain and the emotions and memories as they were stored at the time of a painful or distressing past event. To understand how EMDR works, we first have to have a basic understanding of how the brain works. When we experience something that activates our fight-flight-freeze-fawn response, our amygdala becomes hyper- or hypo-aroused, which activates the lower parts of our brain. What does this mean? It means that logic goes out the window and survival becomes the primary focus. This is why, when you get triggered by something, you may feel like your mind goes blank or you can’t think straight. After the fact, when you are calm again, you might feel frustrated with yourself because you can now think of exactly what you should have said or done. EMDR helps us access the part of your brain where distressing memories are stored through bilateral stimulation (tapping) so that you can maintain a dual awareness (both thinking and feeling). It allows you to have one foot in the past and one foot in the present, so to speak. While you can be aware of the pain or fear you felt at the time, you can also experience a sense of safety and comfort in the present. As a result, your mind and body are able to process and release the stress, anxiety, and trauma that have been stored and allow new neural pathways to form. Many folks report experiencing a sense of calm and feeling less triggered in their daily lives as a result of EMDR. EMDR is a powerful tool that I’ve witnessed both professionally and personally to heal painful parts of our past so that we can be free to have healthy connections with ourselves and others in the present.